Jan 26 Watch 7:26 How a lost recording became a Philadelphia soul classic By Christopher Booker Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios recorded more than 200 gold and platinum records before closing its doors in 2003, eventually donating 7,000 tapes to Drexel University, including recordings by Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Gladys Knight and hundreds of other unknown artists. Continue watching
Jan 26 Watch 9:06 Shemekia Copeland: a new-generation 'Queen of the Blues' By Tom Casciato, Connie Kargbo For some, 40-year-old vocalist Shemekia Copeland might seem out of step with a generation more in tune with hip-hop than the blues. But since her first Grammy nomination at the age of 21, Copeland has been working to push the… Continue watching
Jan 25 Watch 1:50 Lion dancer makes impact on Chinese Lunar New Year tradition By Mori Rothman, Michael D. Regan People around the world on Saturday celebrated the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, marking the first day of the Year of the Rat, with many celebrations including the traditional "lion dance" to usher in good luck and fortune. Continue watching
Jan 18 Watch 1:49 Black Comic Book Festival draws thousands in Harlem By Karla Murthy, Melanie Saltzman New York's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture celebrated the tradition of black comics this weekend with its annual Black Comic Book Festival. Thousands attended the two-day exhibition in Harlem, which also featured screenings, panel discussions and a cosplay… Continue watching
Jan 14 Watch 6:23 The 'Little Women' family of Oscar fame originated in the author's actual home By Jared Bowen, WGBH This year’s film version of “Little Women” received six Oscar nominations, including one for best picture. Author Louisa May Alcott was inspired to write her landmark novel, which was based on her own family, at Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts. Continue watching
Jan 08 Trebek: 'Jeopardy!' retirement isn't imminent despite cancer By Lynn Elber, Associated Press “I don't foresee that 30-second moment coming up in the near future,” Trebek said Wednesday, referring to his request for time to close out his decades-long run with the quiz show. Continue reading
Dec 09 Watch 6:19 In Broadway musical, Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged Little Pill' becomes modern-day metaphor By Jared Bowen, WGBH Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill,” released in 1995, became the angry and raw soundtrack of a generation. Now, the Grammy-winning album -- which sold 33 million copies -- is the basis of a musical that just opened on Broadway. During… Continue watching
Nov 11 Watch 7:11 With emphasis on arts, rural communities challenge national narrative of decline By Jeffrey Brown Americans have been drawn to rural areas in recent years partly due to the appeal of a higher quality of life. These regions have not traditionally been known as art hubs, but some residents say that trend is changing. Jeffrey… Continue watching
Nov 04 Watch 6:05 Enriching the lives of Nashville seniors, one song at a time By John Yang, Leah Nagy In Nashville, the nonprofit Music for Seniors connects the city’s musicians with its older residents in an effort to build community and improve seniors’ quality of life. Now, the organization is teaming up with researchers at Vanderbilt University to see… Continue watching
Oct 14 Watch 3:47 This Detroit bead museum honors an African legacy while modeling revitalization By Mary Ellen Geist Detroit is home to an unusual museum that draws on African history and customs, filling an entire city block with installations and sculptures. The MBAD African Bead Museum also allows visitors hands-on experiences -- and acts as a stabilizing force… Continue watching